This is exactly what has happened with Marquinhos and Jérémy Mathieu. The official line from PSG is that the young Brazilian isn't for sale, but a €45 million bid would be enough to change their mind. Equally, Valencia won't accept a penny less than the release clause in Mathieu's contract (€20m plus tax).

This pattern is being replicated in the negotiations for other targets. João Miranda has told Atlético de Madrid that he is keen to move on, but the 'Rojiblancos' are refusing to do business for less than his €30m buy-out clause. Though Barcelona are big fans of the pacy Brazilian, especially because of his leadership, they aren't willing to stump up such a hefty fee for a player who is pushing 30.

It is a similar story for Eliaquim Mangala, the France international who is currently enhancing his burgeoning reputation at the World Cup in Brazil. Barça have already sounded out the Porto youngster, who is also wanted by both Manchester clubs, but once again the stumbling block is his price tag: the Portuguese club's president, Jorge Nuno Pinta da Costa, is renowned for driving a hard bargain and is demanding a whopping €45m for the centre-back.